Exploring and Disentangling Ideologies from the Conservative Right

In a thought-provoking conversation with a lifelong left-winger, a local politician, the question of dealing with the far right was posed. The question was not just about finding answers to counter the far right, but about understanding the root causes of their appeal and crafting solutions that address underlying grievances.

The far right's influence, both historically and in contemporary times, has been characterised by reactionary conservatism, fascism, and Nazism, evolving into modern forms such as neo-fascism, ethnic nationalism, and Euroscepticism. These movements, often fuelled by fears of cultural dilution, immigration, and globalization, position themselves as defenders of a "pure" national or ethnic community.

In the post-World War II era and after the EU’s founding in 1993, far-right groups have mounted political opposition to supranational European integration, promoting national sovereignty, anti-immigration policies, and strong Euroscepticism. They have engaged in building transnational alliances, exerting influence in parliamentary politics, and shaping policies, often framing environmental regulations as harmful to national interests and traditional industries.

Unpacking far-right articulations of problems reveals core narratives that drive their appeal:

Fear and identity: Far-right rhetoric constructs a "siege narrative," where the nation or ethnic group is under existential threat from immigrants, minorities, globalization, or political elites.
Authoritarian order: They promise a return to a social order based on strong leadership, national unity, and traditional hierarchies, appealing especially in contexts of social dislocation such as rural decline or economic uncertainty.
Anti-elitism and populism: Far-right factions depict themselves as defenders of ordinary people against corrupt, cosmopolitan elites seen as detached from national interests.
Instrumental use of emotions, especially fear: By dramatizing threats and dangers, far-right groups mobilize affective responses to legitimize their political agendas and leaders.

Understanding these articulations offers insights for creating solutions:

Recognize and address underlying economic and social grievances without scapegoating or exclusion.
Promote inclusive narratives of identity that acknowledge diversity and shared interests rather than exclusivist nationalism.
Develop transparent and participatory political processes that reduce distrust of elites and institutions.
Address emotional drivers like fear with empathetic communication, building trust through policies that enhance security and well-being without resorting to divisive rhetoric.
Counter misinformation and authoritarian appeals by fostering critical thinking and media literacy.

Broadly, unpacking far-right ideologies involves situating them within historical, social, and emotional contexts—understanding how they exploit fears and grievances to advance exclusionary solutions—and then crafting multifaceted democratic responses that address both material conditions and identity anxieties.

It's important to remember that the forward march of the far right can be halted, but it requires a shift from rejecting or parroting their answers to embarking on an earnest quest for our own solutions. To have a decent and humane migration policy, we must address the fear of anomy that underlies the far right's affective economy. This involves recognising that reluctance to irregular migration should not be interpreted merely as a hatred of the Other, but as fear of anomy.

Affirming masculinity and patriotism is not just a backlash, but also a call for a redistribution of dignity. Far-right milieus define themselves as defenders of the nation, and their membership and voters tend to be predominantly male. Public attitudes towards migration have ebbs and flows, but a certain reluctance to accept migrants and refugees is on the rise across Europe.

Protests against the European Green Deal do not have to mean a rejection of ecology, but could represent a resistance to over-regulation. This reluctance is generally perceived as a reflection of xenophobia, but it is not the whole story. The perceived chaos and anomy is enhanced by the state's active deprivation of other possibilities for asylum seekers.

In conclusion, understanding the far right and crafting solutions to counter their appeal requires a nuanced approach that recognises and addresses underlying grievances, promotes inclusivity, and fosters empathetic communication. By doing so, we can create a more humane and inclusive society.

In the realm of education and self-development, it's crucial to foster critical thinking and media literacy to counter the propagation of far-right ideologies and promote a more inclusive society.
Addressing political issues demands a nuanced approach that not only discredits far-right agendas but also identifies and addresses the root causes of popular support, such as economic and social grievances, and proposes solutions grounded in empathy and inclusivity.